SAFFORD &8212; Marion Military Institute&8217;s Alumni Brigade is dedicated to helping students at the school and having a good time doing so. It is only natural then that the group uses a common pastime and passion to help promote their cause and institution. Thus, the group&8217;s dove shoot was born.

Still a money raiser for the alumni, the event has become just that &8212; an even more than a fundraiser. Hunting takes precedence at the event, hence the namesake, but eating, listening to music and meeting with other hunters have also become part of the fun, which brings the crowd.

One of the biggest reasons for the success of the hunt, Williams said, is the luck the event has had in the past for participants looking to bag the limit of birds they can take.

She said a lot of this luck in the take comes from the location of the hunt &8212; Sam Givhan Farms in Safford &8212; and the site&8217;s owner, Sam Givhan and his son David&8217;s prep work.

To top it all off, there is entertainment &8212; this year in the form of the Kudzu String Band &8212; and a raffle &8212; this year for a Ranchland Security Combo Rifle that won&8217;t be available in the United States until January. But there is a catch.

The dove shoot costs $75 and raffle tickets, which can be purchased without attending the hunt, start at $10 for one. For more information call 334-683-2349.